"Maybe."
"So are you staying?" I asked, though now when I asked that, it didn't seem as innocent as it once did. She nodded, keeping her eyes on the ice pack that she held in place. "I can hold that. Go get some juice." Cody looked into my eyes for a moment, then turned and opened the fridge again, leaning down to look for a little bottle of Tropicana.
I watched her body, tall and lithe, hardened from skateboarding or rollerblading everywhere. I wondered what she thought of my body; was it too old for her? Not as solid and hard like hers. Would she find me attractive?
I certainly did her.
With a smile I turned back over onto my side as I laid in bed, the tiredness of before catching up to me in spades. With a soft smile on my lips, I fell asleep.
* * *
I hobbled over to Kristine's cubicle, leaning over, resting on my forearms. She glanced up at me.
"Yes?" she drawled, a dark brow raised.
"Want to do lunch? I really, really need to talk to you," I said, my voice a near whisper. I huge smile broke out over her face.
"Oh, goody!" She clapped her ringed fingers together. "Gossip."
* * *
It had been a few days since I'd gone out with Cody, and so I'd had a few days to think about that night, and to mull it all over in my head. I was now officially confused.
"So, what's up?" my co-worker and friend asked, sitting across from me at Tristan's. I sighed, not sure where to begin. I thought that Kristine would be a good preliminary person to talk to, feeling that Rand wouldn't understand and would be judgmental of Cody.
"Well," I began, sipping from my water. "I went to Spunkies with Cody over the weekend." A dark brow slowly raised.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"And?" Kristine was eyeing me, waiting for me to embellish on why I'd brought her here. "How did it go?" I could tell she could tell that something was up, and was waiting patiently, sort of, for me to let her in on the secret.
"I even dug out my leather skirt for the occasion." Brown eyes lit up.
"Damn, bet you looked hot."
"That's what Cody said." I dropped my eyes, instead focusing on the complementary basket of chips with the little dish of salsa.
"Did she now? Brooklyn, what's going on with you two?" I found my courage and her eyes and took a deep breath.
"I honestly don't know. We went to Spunkies in the first place 'cause she bet me that I'd ride again after the accident, and, well, I did." She moved her hand, asking silently for more of the story. "So, we went. She picked me up, she drove us there, and then I bought us something to drink."
"Gosh, if I didn't know better, I'd say it sounded like a date."
"Uh, well, yeah. I can see that." I looked away again, for some reason having a hell of a time keeping eye contact with her. "Kristine, what do you think of Keith and Ben's relationship?"
"Wait, huh? Girl, you have just totally confused me."
Join the club.
"Well, I don't know, I mean, what do you think about it?"
"In terms of...?" She munched on a chip.
"In terms of them both being men." I followed suit, burying the corn chip to snag as much of the veggies as possible.
"I don't really think about it. I mean, we've all known that Keith was a big ol' raging queen, and so when he found a guy, I guess we all just figured that's the way it was supposed to be." I chuckled.
"Yeah, guess so. He did show lots of tendencies, didn't he?"
"Yup. You can most definitely say that again. So, what does this have to do with you and Cody and Spunkies?" She leaned her cheek against the heel of her hand. I sighed, knowing that I had to just bite the bullet and say what I'd planned to say.
"Well, we danced, had a few drinks and, well, I did anyway, had a good time." I downed the rest of my water, anxious for the iced tea that I'd ordered to get here.
"So, you guys had some laughs, a few dances, and went home?" I nodded.
"Pretty much," I said, entirely too cheerfully.
"Riiiight. So then why bring me here to tell me that?" I stared at her, mouth open, looking like a fish out of water. Kristine seemed to sense my discomfort, and a smile spread across her lips, and she leaned forward, conspiratorial, "Is she a good dancer?" I just stared at her, a little surprised by the question, then a slow grin spread across my face, and I slowly nodded. "Oh, man, I knew it!" She threw herself back against the booth, hands flopping in the air for emphasis. "That kid looks like she's filled to the brim with passion."
"For what?"
"Anything. Whatever she's into, after. She may try and make the world think she doesn't give a flying turd about anything, but you can see it boiling just under the surface."
"Spunkies with Cody was wild," I admitted. "She, god, I don't know. She walks through the door there like she owns the place. I think just about everyone there knew her, and she just gets this incredible air of confidence. It oozes off her in waves. Pretty... interesting." My gaze drifted off as I thought about it more in my head, and I could feel Kristine's eyes on me.
* * *
After my talk with Kristine, then after a day of work, then going home and adding another thinking session atop my other sessions, I had decided that though I had greatly enjoyed my time with Cody at Spunkies, and certainly had enjoyed the physical contact, that things would stay normal between us.
But, even still, there was an interesting spin on things now, on life in general. As I walked to my car - I had just been given the go-ahead to drive - or just outside into the backyard, I realized that though everything looked the same, trees were green, sky was blue, sun was golden, things had changed. I was changing. I felt like I was stuck in some sort of revolution.
It was strange seeing her in the new way that I did, as a woman. I know I kept saying that, but it was true. She wasn't just some fun buddy anymore - there was a new angle to it, a new side that I'd never seen before. Not that it would be of consequence to our friendship, but it was there, and I saw her in all her womanly glory.
However, I did feel a new closeness in our relationship now, like we'd seen a different side of the other, and that drew us together. We'd had lunch the other day, the only thing either of us had really had time for this week.
So, padding around the house in a pair of mesh shorts and a tank, I carried the laundry basket to the washer that was next to the kitchen, and began to sort the clothes when I heard a knock at my front door.
Irritated at being interrupted, I headed toward it, flipping all the locks, and swung the door open. A grinning Cody stood on the porch. My annoyance flew out my ear, and I put on a smile to match.
"Hey, you."
"Hey, yourself." She walked passed me, and I looked down, noticing the baggy shorts she wore, which almost made her look like she was doing that ridiculous sagging style. Cody turned away from me to set her skateboard down, and as she bent over, I could see the light purple color of her underwear.
I brought my hand to my mouth, trying to muffle my snicker. Purple. Who would have thought that Cody Thomlin would wear purple underwear. But then a wave of genius struck me, and my eyes traveled back up to see what she was doing. About to turn back around, I grabbed either side of the too-big shorts, and
Wham!
Down around her ankles, the purple undies stood out in all their glory. I took a step back, not sure whether to run for my life or to laugh my head off, I watched her, the giggle already forming in my throat. I looked at her, taking in the light purple bikini-cut panties. I'm not entirely sure what I thought Cody wore under her clothes, but bikinis, purple ones, it was just too funny.
Cody stood straight, her back still to me, but her hands went to her hips. She glanced at me over her shoulder.
"You think that's funny, huh?" She turned around to face me fully, careful not to trip over the shorts still around her ankles. I nodded.
"Very."
"I see." She sucked in the inside of one cheek, chewing on it as she studied me, her weight shifted to one leg, hands still on her hips, the toe of her Vans tapping on the tile of the entryway. "Well, that's interesting." Suddenly blue eyes were on me, her brows narrowing, head cocked slightly low and to the side.
Oh shit.
"Cody, I'm crippled, here,"
"Uh huh," she said, carefully stepping out of first one leg of the shorts, then the other, casually kicking them aside. I began to back up.
"Come on, now. You wouldn't hurt an old woman, now would you?" She shook her head.
"Nope." But she began to advance, slow, measured steps, hands never leaving her hips. "However," She lunged, I tried to run, but found myself slamming myself against the wall to the kitchen. "I will do this!" She grabbed handfuls of my loose-fitting shorts in both fists and yanked. Immediately I felt a cool breeze from the ceiling fan on my bare skin. I looked down, seeing my black satin undies exposed to curious blue eyes, my gaze meeting hers when finally she met my eyes.
"Can I help you?" I drawled, trying to keep as much of the redness from my face as was humanly possible.
"Nope, nope. I'm good." She leaned in a little. "For now." I felt a shiver run up and down my spine, her low, smooth voice doing the trick.
"Well," I turned, headed toward the laundry room, waiting for her reaction. It didn't take long. The sharp intake of breath came just as soon as she saw the g-string in back. I looked at her over my shoulder. "Can I help you?" I asked again, a small smirk on my lips. I had the immense satisfaction of seeing her usual façade slide right off her face, leaving an even more intense look behind. Her eyes were half-hooded, cheeks red. For just a moment I wasn't sure if I had done the right thing. "Come on, help me do laundry." I stepped out of my shorts, slung them over my shoulder, and padded toward my near forgotten laundry basket.
Cody followed me into the small room, filled with the smell of Tide with bleach from hundreds of washings. She glanced down at the laundry basket, which hadn't been sorted yet, and then whipped off her tank. I looked at her.
"Excuse me, missy," I said, wondering what the hell she was doing. She tossed the shirt into the basket.
"I stink." She grinned. I looked at her, now standing only in her purple underwear and white and gray sports bra. God, she really did have an incredible body. The feelings from Spunkies swirled around again in my stomach. I swallowed them down.
"So, what would you like me to do about it?" I said, knowing full well she wouldn't be able to ask me to wash her shirt. So, I decided to enjoy toying with her.
"Well, I don't know." She smirked. "What do you want to do about it?" She cocked an eyebrow in challenge.
"You're the one with the stinky shirt, Cody. What do you plan to do about it?" I looked at her, hand on my hip, smirk on my face.
"I don't know," She looked down, shuffling her bare foot on the cool tile. I couldn't do it.
"You are too cute." She looked up at me through long bangs. "Fine. I'll wash your shirt." I snagged it from her, and tossed it into the pile. I almost wanted to laugh, us hanging around in our underwear as if nothing at all was out of the ordinary. To me it seemed terribly funny, and a small chuckle erupted, bubbling out of my mouth. Cody looked at me, about to leave the laundry room.
"What?" She turned, hand firmly on her hip. I shook my head, which made her a little uncomfortable. She looked down at herself, seeing everything where it was supposed to be. Confused, she looked up at me, a question in her eyes.
"Nothing." I tried to wave her away, but the laughter grew. I think it was a matter of embarrassment, and perhaps something else, that was relieving itself through laughter.
"What are you laughing at?" She took a small step toward me, obviously feeling more and more insecure in her lack of clothing.
"I just, doesn't it seem a little odd to you that we're both standing here in next to nothing?" I finally asked. She shrugged, her eyes raking up and down my g-stringed body.
"I don't particularly mind it." She took a step closer. "Do you?" I looked up at her, my mouth suddenly gone dry. Slowly I shook my head. My gaze followed the lines and features of her face, ending on two lips, full, and slightly open with the smirk they held.
"Ugh!" My face crumbled into fits of laughter as long fingers began to dig into my sides, trying to find the best place to tickle me.
* * *
I strolled around the park by my house, looking up into the sky, clouds already beginning to gather as evening approached. It had been a long day for me, busy and chaotic.
Much like my life felt right now.
I shoved my hands deep into the pockets of my slacks, as I had yet to change from my work clothes, or what Cody referred to as my monkey suit. I smiled, thoughts of her swirling around my brain. The slightest thought, and I was already smiling. It had been that way for a bit now. What was it about her? Why did she touch me the way she did?
Sitting on the stone bench, I watched as some boys played basketball. I bet Cody's good at basketball, her height doing wonders, I'm sure. Plus her wonderful athletic ability.
I missed her, I realized with a sigh. I hadn't seen her all week because of my busy schedule, and well, I hadn't really heard from her. My brows drawing at this thought, I grabbed my cell out of my pocket, and flipped it open, dialing the number by heart. It rang three times. I was about to hit the off button when it was answered.
"What?" She sounded irritated. I could hear a man's voice in the background.
"Cody?"
"Yeah?" The irritation didn't leave her voice. Suddenly I felt a pang of worry crash through me. "Is this a bad time?" I stood, starting the walk home.
"Um, sort of. I'll come by later, kay?"
"Oh, alright." I looked at the dead phone, and snapped it shut. "Alrighty then," I muttered, my feelings somewhat hurt.
As I walked through the door to my house, my cell chirped to life.
"Hello?" I asked, headed upstairs to finally change into a pair of shorts and tee.
"You hungry?" asked the voice.
"What?"
"Dude, you deaf? Are you hungry?" I could hear the excitement in Cody's voice.
"Uh, yes." I unbuttoned my blouse, tossing it onto the bed for the dry cleaning pile, and headed over to the dresser to dig out a shirt.
"Cool. I'll be there in like five minutes."
"Cody..." I looked at the phone, Cody already had hung up. Rolling my eyes, I closed the phone, and put it on the bed as I continued to change clothes.
I hurried downstairs as I heard a car pull into the driveway. Running a hand through my hair, I hurried to pull open the door, the knob nearly smacking me in the hand as the door swung open, and Cody bounded inside. I looked at her, stunned, as I saw she wore a pair of khaki pants and a button-up white shirt.
What was going on?
"Sit." She put her hand on my shoulder, shoving me toward the couch. I sat, watching as she paced back and forth, cheeks flushed with excitement.
"So, are you planning to tell me what the hell is going on, or are you going to ruin my floor?" I asked, sitting back, crossing an ankle over my knee.
"Okay." Finally she reached into her back pocket and handed me a folded piece of paper that had been hidden there. "Read."
I took the letter, unfolding it, my eyes scanning the words printed on the fine paper. Words began to catch my attention: Cody Thomlin - congratulations - accepted - Quinton College of Architecture.
I looked up at her. She was watching me expectantly, the pacing finally stopped.
"Cody, did you apply to school?" I asked, my voice quiet, filled with awe, a smile slowly spreading across my face.
"Cool, huh?" she exclaimed, grabbing me by the hand, yanking me onto my feet. She placed her hands on either side of my face, pulling me to her, placing a loud, solid smack on my lips with her own. She pushed away from me, a huge, goofy grin on her face. My smile had left my face. I looked into her eyes, still feeling her lips on mine. I reached out, grabbing her at the back of the neck, and pulling her toward me, my head moving to the side, eyes closing as I made contact.
Cody's lips were soft, stiff for a moment, then becoming pliant, my bottom lip fitting perfectly between hers. My fingers curled into the hair at the nape of her neck, my other hand resting lightly on her arm. I felt a hand gently stroke my shoulder while the other rested at my waist.
Suddenly I realized what I was doing, and pulled back, my hands slowly leaving Cody's hair and shoulder, my eyes wide as I looked at her. For just a split moment, her eyes remained closed, but quickly opened.
As I looked into her face, she looked back at me, unsure. I felt a wave wash through me, a wave of confusion, of wanting to do that again, of oh shit, of the loss of her body heat. But mostly I felt that I needed to catch my breath for a moment.
I took a step back, my fingers going to my lips, still able to feel the gentle pressure of hers. I looked down, embarrassed by what I had done, and not sure what to do now. Would she be angry with me?
"Brooklyn?" came Cody's soft voice, still standing where I'd left her. I couldn't look at her. I was too ashamed. How had I let my body dominate my thoughts? Pure stupidity.
"Yes?" I glanced at her, but only briefly. I couldn't meet her eyes.
"I..." She faltered, and I glanced at her again to see that she was staring out the window, the muscles in her jaws working. I sighed, not sure what to say, the apology building in my throat. "See ya." I heard the words, but they didn't sink into my muddled brain until I heard the slam of the front door.
"Co-" my voice was cut off when I heard the engine in her car start up. I hurried over to the window, mindful of my ankle, and watched as she backed out of the driveway, the slight squeal of rubber burning onto the pavement as she sped down the street. I stared, mouth hanging open.
What the hell just happened? What did I do? Is she disgusted with me? Have I read her wrong? All this time, all the flirting, innuendo, Spunkies, for crying out loud!
I ran a hand through my hair, unable to move away from the window, I guess maybe hoping that Cody would come back and we could talk. Instead, the driveway remained empty, and my mind continued to whirl.
"What just happened?" I asked myself again, still trying to keep up with the moment. I sighed, knowing full well that she wasn't coming back tonight, I turned toward the couch, and saw the forgotten letter on the floor. I must have dropped it some time between my reading it and the... kiss.
"Shit."
Picking it up, I sat, unfolding it once again, and re-reading the wonderful news. Cody had gotten herself in college, and not just college, but architectural college. When did she do this? Why had she hidden it from me?
For a moment I felt hurt, like Cody couldn't trust me to keep me in the fold, but then logic kicked in. She hadn't kept it from me. She had wanted to surprise me with it. Just how many people do you think she has told about this, Brooklyn?
"Shit." I set the letter aside, and buried my face in my hands. So why had she left? I flopped back into the cushions of the couch, and tucked my feet up under my body, Cody's letter folded neatly by my side.
* * *
"Hello? Brooklyn?"
I jerked upright, smacking my knee on the underside of my desk in the process.
"Ow, what?" I looked up, rubbing the throbbing leg, and saw Rhonda looking down at me. She smiled.
"Well, aren't we a little grumpy today?" She leaned her arm on the top of my cubicle wall. "Must be from the late night." My brows drew.
"What? What are you talking about?" I tossed my red pencil onto the desk, leaned back in my chair.
"Well, Cody didn't get home until well after midnight, so I figured she was with you."
I felt a pang shoot straight through me. Oh, Cody.
"Oh, yeah." I smiled, not sure why I was protecting Cody. Where the hell was she?
"Brooklyn?" Ron looked down for a moment, as though she were trying to choose her words. Finally her gaze met mine. "What exactly do you two do?"
"What do you mean?" I asked slowly, guilt crashing over me. I tried to do my best to hide it.
"Well, you two are together nearly every single day for at least a couple hours, and many weekends, shoot, I haven't seen my daughter at all." She smiled, then brows narrowed. "Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not attacking you, just asking. I mean, I think it's great! Cody is a different person now."
Oh, Rhonda, if you only knew.
"Well," I began, clearing my throat. "We do whatever. You know, watch movies, talk, whatever." Make out, flirt, you know, whatever floats our boat at the time.
"Hunh." She seemed to chew on this, then smiled at me. "Get to work or your boss will be mad."
"Yeah, well my boss can blow it out of her..." she turned narrowed eyes on me. "Nothing." I smiled, holding up my hands to show my innocence. Rolling her eyes with a chuckle, she walked away, and I took a really, really deep breath. I honestly don't think Ron meant anything by it, but damn, I felt like I had been sitting in the middle of the Spanish Inquisition revisited, and part of me wanted to bow to my knees and confess everything, praying all the while for mercy.
Glancing over to the short leg of my L-shaped desk, I spied my phone. Picking up the hand piece, I dialed the long string of numbers and waited. Impatiently.
"Hey, you've reached me, but you are not a priority right now or I would have picked up. Leave a message and I'll stick you on my to-do list."
BEEP
"Hey, Rand. Damn you for being a responsible, working adult. Call me tonight." I ran a hand through my hair. "I really need to talk." I hung up the phone, and leaned on my hand. What a mess.
* * *
I sat on the couch, feeling too guilty to even talk to my parents, and did I ever need to talk. My mind was spinning, my emotions nearly out of control. What was happening to me? The way that I felt at that moment, I couldn't remember the last time I had felt that way. Hell, then I realized that I had never felt that way. My body was on fire, my heart felt like it was swelling, almost painfully. But why? I knew that Cody had something to do with it, and I also knew that I was a 26-year-old woman, and certainly not stupid by any means.
So why now?
Why what?
I was startled out of my thoughts by the sound of the phone ringing. An instasmile spread across my face. I grabbed the cordless, checking the caller I.D. screen. The smile stayed, but the intensity definitely waned.
"Hey, buttercup. What's up?" I fell back into the couch, flopping one leg over the back as got myself comfortable for a long talk with my best friend.
"What's wrong?" I could hear the concern in her voice. My smile grew. It felt good to have someone care.
"Well, isn't that the million dollar question."
"Alright, sweetie, give me three seconds. I need to get comfy for this."
"Kay." I could hear her moving around, plus the opening then closing of a door, more shuffling, then finally Rand's voice in my ear. "I'm in my jammies, got a can of cheese balls, and I'm all ears."
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